What does it mean to turn 50 if you can’t share what you have learned with your friends? The following are 50 things, from business to life, I have learned, experienced, or watched in 50 years on this planet. If you have a list please let us hear it. The 50 things are categorized but not ranked~
Business
1. “Your word is your reputation”: say what you’ll do, do what you say
2. “Learning requires heart”: if you don’t want it, it won’t happen
3. “People want to buy they don’t want to be sold”: help people get what they want then you get what you want
4. “Preparation starts at home”: show up to work ready to go
5. “Don’t lie to yourself, it’s unbecoming”: if you don’t believe in your work, you will never succeed
6. “Writing is your publication platform”: learn to blog, express your ideas, create your public record the first jewel in the triple crown of building you as a brand
7. “Under promise and over deliver”: if you positively surprise people they will always react positively
8. “Telephone cold calling is the most underrated business strategy”: the science meets art of selling
9. “Multi Level Marketing is rarely a Win-Win situation”: me first with a huge helping of pie in the sky
10. “Technology is the life blood of business”: things change for the better
11. “Networking is a contact activity”: working the room is NOT networking
12. “Everyone should have a manual labor job in their background”: lessons in humility one jackhammer blast at a time
13. “Education is the great equalizer”: don’t squander your opportunity
14. “You make your own breaks”: capitalize when the moment arrives
15. “Overconfidence is a weakness”: check your ego at the door it might save your deal
16. “Mentoring is a two way street”: whether you are giving or receiving it is a win-win situation
17. “Dress for success”: if you look good you feel good
18. “Never underestimate your opponent”: it may come back to haunt you
19. “Public speaking is crucial to a career”: this is the 2nd jewel in the trip crown of building you as a brand
20. “Leadership is a skill you can develop”: this is the 3rd jewel in the trip crown of building you as a brand
21. “Listening is the skill”: this separates the stars from the pack
22. “Fear is contageous”: if you are fearful in any business situation it shows
23. “Give respect”: recognize excellence
24. “Expectations are dangerous”: if you have to ask you have never had to live up to them
25. “Winning isn’t everything”: it’s the only thing
Life
1. “Your family is your rock”: if you are blessed with a solid family you must never forget them
2. “Travel early and often”: experiencing other places at a young page accellerates personal growth
3. “Live somewhere else”: leave your hometown and live somewhere far away
4. “Learn to adapt”: if you can adapt you can survive
5. “Living overseas”: Athens, Greece is amazing
6. “Follow your dreams”: if you fear trying you will miss out
7. “College is irreplaceable”: personal growth that continues to show up years later
8. Working in the music business: scouting bands while in college a dream job
9. Basketball: playing in front of 5,000+ wishing I could make it a career
10. Room mates: in college at UC Davis 1980 the brother of King Huesen of Jordan
11. Training: one training session with 1980′s Professional Kickboxing Association light heavyweight champion Dennis Alexio
12. Robin Williams: partying with the legendary “Mork” without ever knowing it was him
13. My father: the greatest teacher of humility, graciousness, and toughness
14. My mother: my heart and the person who challenged me to be kind and positive
15. Saving a life: helping a friend make a new start
16. “Losing to learn”: losing teaches you about yourself, winning is not the same teacher
17. “Watching your childhood friend play in the NFL”: Monday night football at the ‘Stick and my friend is on the field as a starting wide receiver for the Atlanta Falcons
18. “Moderation is everything”: if you allow anything to control you, you haven’t learned a thing
19. Jet skiing in Greece: the greatest adventure in my life riding behind a 25 story cruise ship, inside the wake funnel, jumping through the wake 5 miles outside the Mykanos harbor
20. Regrets: being invited to tryout for my college basketball team by the coach and declining for nothing more than the fear of rejection
21. Redemption: learning from this fear and accepting every challenge and opportunity with open arms
22. “First Kisses”: Kim in 5th grade changed my view of girls forever
23. Wine: so much more than a drink. It’s a lifestyle, appreciation for history, part of my cultural background
24. “Friendship”: they last only when you participate, work at it, and give
25. “Humor”: nearly everything is better with a laugh
you post such great stuff on twitter and this is up there with the best. thanks and enjoy 50 it’s a trip and 60 is even better. people start to be nice to you and sometimes even give you a seat.
Liz,
I am flattered and honored by your comment! Thank you for recognizing this list. I will do my best to keep producing valuable content. Thank you again!
dean